Essay On Fear In Hamlet

Kaitlyn Fahy

Mrs. Shjarback

English 4A

21 February 2023

Living Through Fear The afterlife, often associated with ghosts and spirits of the dead, evokes fear in many people. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the ghost of King Hamlet appears to warn his son, Prince Hamlet, of his uncle Claudius' evil doings. King Hamlet creates both fear and rage in his son sending him to spiral out of control throughout the play. Through the years, many film adaptations of the play have been created in which each version interprets the play in different ways. Thus, causing audiences to have different interpretations of the play. David Tennant and Andrew Scott's adaptations of Hamlet allow audiences to view how Hamlet's fear influences his decisions through his interactions

At the beginning of the play when the ghost, King Hamlet, is introduced, Shakespeare does not intend for the audience to believe Hamlet is scared of the ghost. He does this when he questions, "Why, what should be the fear?"(1.4.72). This scene contains no fear, however, the film adaptations of Hamlet such as David Tennant's version, have a different interpretation. David Tennant's interpretation of this scene in Hamlet shows Hamlet to be more fearful of the ghost, he walks towards it but never touches or comes in contact with the ghost at first. His facial expressions and continuous gasps with the presentation of heavy breathing show Hamlet is fearful in this scene. While talking with his father, Hamlet is shown to fall to his knees when the ghost comes closer. He listens and watches the ghost from a low and fearful position until the ghost grasps him at the end of their conversation. In Andrew Scott's interpretation of Hamlet, He doesn't show any fear toward the ghost and talks to the ghost normally. However, he is shown to cover his face in some sort of emotional manner. While others fear and tremble when the ghost presents himself, Andrew Scott's version of

This time Hamlet is accompanied by his mother, Queen Gertrude when the ghost arrives, and although Hamlet can see the ghost, Gertrude cannot. This evokes fear in Gertrude who states, "Alas, he's mad" which shows how the ghost is causing Hamlet to spiral into madness. In David Tennant's version of Act 3 Scene 4, Hamlet is once again portrayed as fearful. Upon the Ghost's arrival, Hamlet is shown to fall to the ground in a sort of fetal position, showing the fear Hamlet possesses. Seeing the ghost is a reminder for Hamlet of his plans for Claudius and Gertrude. In Andrew Scott's rendition of Act 3 Scene 4, Hamlet holds his father's hand and shows no fear. He seems to feel very comforted by his father’s arrival. When Gertrude is unable to see the ghost, he begins to cry and is overwhelmed with emotion and becomes very upset. Gertrude seems to think he is going crazy and is just seeing things. These adaptations help to further the theme of fear in the play as it shows how Hamlet's decisions are based on fear. Tennants version clearly shows Hamlet possesses fear, however, Scott's rendition of the play perceives Hamlet as unfearful and emotional as he once again cries and comforts the ghost, otherwise known as his father. Fear is once again shown throughout the two adaptations of Hamlet. Although this scene comes later in the play, it still shows